FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Albanian citizenship will no longer be granted upon simple request or political reference. The new instruction of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports has been published in the Official Gazette, which sets out new procedures and criteria for granting Albanian passports to foreigners who claim special contributions in the field of art, culture or sports.
According to the document signed by Minister Blendi Gonxhja, applicants must not only be recognized talents, but also have represented or promoted Albania on the international stage, as well as have contributed concretely to initiatives, projects or organizations related to public interest in these fields.
The process involves several steps: initially, the request comes from the Agency for Citizenship Programs, then a special commission is established at the Ministry to review the case, and finally a final report is prepared, which determines whether the applicant is recommended for approval or not.
The document also includes details on the documentation that must be submitted, such as evidence of international activity, proof of representation of Albania, or concrete support for projects related to national interest.
This guidance comes after criticism and suspicions about the way Albanian passports have previously been granted through “special merit”, often without transparency and with political influences. Although the guidance brings a clearer structure, it still remains unclear how the “national interest” will be assessed and who decides on the weight of the applicants’ contribution.
The practice of granting citizenship through cultural or sporting promotion has been used by Albanian governments for years, sometimes as an incentive for talent and sometimes as a symbolic instrument. Now it seems that the game will change, at least on paper.
Gjeti dhe nje vend kume fut duret Blendi! Tani do dhe ky pjesen e vet!